Unit 1.2 Types of Computer
Types of Computer
Nowadays, various types of computer are available. These computers are different from each other on the basis of their purpose, capacity, size, working principle, brand etc. Computer can be categorized into three types according to the working principle (data type they operate). They are:
i. Analog computer
ii. Digital computer
iii. Hybrid Computer
Analog Computer
Analog computers are special-purpose computers
which can measure continuously changing data such as pressure, temperature,
voltage, etc. It can perform a single task. For example, speedometer which
displays speed of vehicles, voltmeter, analog watch, seismograph, etc. The
features of analog computer are given below:
l cheaper
than other device.
l on
continuous data.
l storage
capacity is low.
l works
in real-time.
l gives
output in the form of graph and signals.
Analog computer
Digital Computer
Digital computers are general-purpose computers
which solve problems by computing discrete data. It works on digital values,
binary digits (0 or 1). It can perform many tasks according to user
requirements. Computer in school, home and office are examples of digital
computer.
Feature of digital computer
l works on discontinuous.
l highly accurate and reliable.
l used for general purpose.
l based on discrete data (digit 0 and 1).
Digital
Computer
On the basis of purpose, digital computers are
classified into two types.
i.
Special
Purpose Digital Computer
These types of digital computer are designed to
perform a single specific task. The program is loaded during manufacturing time
in this type of digital computer which cannot be changed by user. Digital
thermometer, digital watch, self-driven vehicle, washing machine, digital
television, etc. are the example of special-purpose digital computers.
ii.
General
Purpose Digital Computer
These types of digital computer are designed to
perform more than one task. The user can load programs into the computer as per
requirement to perform a different task. Desktop computer, laptop, notebook,
etc. are the example of general-purpose digital computers.
On the basis of size, digital computers are
classified into four types. They are
i. Microcomputer ii. Minicomputer iii. Mainframe computer and iv. Supercomputer
i. Microcomputer
Microcomputer is also called PC (Personal Computer)
because it is used by a single person at a time. Microprocessor is used as main
processing unit (CPU). IBM-PC was the first microcomputer designed by IBM
(International Business Machine) company. Microcomputers are used in the home,
school, college, hospital, offices, etc. for data processing purpose. These
microcomputers are further divided into the following categories:
l Desktop computer
l Laptop computer
l Palmtop
computer
l Notebook
computer
l Tablet
computer
Notebook Computer
ii.
Minicomputer
Minicomputer
Minicomputer is more powerful and expensive than
microcomputer but less powerful and costly than mainframe computer. So, the
capabilities of a minicomputer are in between microcomputer and mainframe
computer. Minicomputer is used in scientific research, banking system,
telephone switch, etc. These computers work on multiprocessing system and about
two hundred of PCs can be connected to the network. PDI-1 was the first
minicomputer designed by DEC (Digital Equipment Crop) company in 1960.
Time-sharing, batch processing, online processing,
etc. are the services provided by minicomputer. IBM-System/3, Honeywell 200,
etc. are some examples of minicomputer.
iii.
Mainframe
Computer
Mainframe Computer
Mainframe computers are more powerful, have large
storage capacity and more expensive than minicomputer but less powerful and
costly than supercomputer. These computers allows multi-user and have
multi-processor and support more than 200 PCs. These computers are used as a server
on WWW (World Wide Web) and also used in large organizations such as a bank,
telecommunication, airlines and universities for large data processing. IBM is
the major manufacturer of mainframe computer. IBM 1401 mainframe computer was
brought to Nepal for the first time to process census data in year. IBM-2
series, system 210 servers, CDC (Control Data Cyber) 6600 etc. are the popular
examples of mainframe computer.
iv.
Supercomputer
Sunway Taihulight
Supercomputers are the most powerful, most expensive
and have the highest processing speed most than other computers. It has
parallel processing for performing any task. These computers are mainly used in
weather forecasting, nuclear energy research, national security, space-related
research, etc.
Nowadays, most powerful supercomputer is Sunway
Taihulight from National Super Computing Centre, Wuxi, China. Supercomputer can
perform more than one trillion calculations per second. Piz Daint, Tianhe-z,
Titan, Seq voie, Cori, ETA-10, etc. are the popular examples of supercomputer.
Hybrid Computer
Hybrid Computer
The computer-designed with combined features of
analog computer and the digital computer is called a hybrid computer. These
computers are designed for a special purpose. They are used in hospital for
Ultra Sound, ECG (Electro Cardio Graph), CT scan (Computed Tomography scan),
etc., in aeroplanes for air pressure, temperature, speed, weight, in scientific
lab, in ships, large industries etc.
Feature of hybrid computer
l expensive
l designed
for special purpose
l works
on both has continuous and discrete value
l more
complex and limited storage
l Computers
are different from each other on the basis of their purpose, capacity, size,
working principle, brand etc.
l Analog
computers are special purpose computer which can measure continuously changing
data such as pressure, temperature, voltage, etc.
l Digital
computers are general-purpose computers which solve problems by discrete data.
l IBM-PC
was the first microcomputer designed by IBM (International Business Machine)
company.
l Desktop
computer, laptop, notebook, etc. are the examples of general-purpose digital
computers.
l On
the basis of size, digital computers are classified into four types:
Microcomputer, Minicomputer, Mainframe computer and Supercomputer
l Supercomputer
is the most powerful and expensive and has the highest processing speed than
other computers.
l The
computer-designed with combined feature of analog computer and digital computer
is called a hybrid computer.
______________Summary_______________________
Analog computer : Measures continuously changing
data such as pressure, temperature.
Digital computer : Solves problems by discrete data.
Minicomputer :
More powerful and more expensive than a microcomputer.
Mainframe computer : More powerful and has large
storage and more expensive than
minicomputer.
Super computer
: The most powerful, the most has expensive and with the highest
processing speed than others.
Hybrid computer : A computer with the combination of
features of both analog
computer and digital computer.
Exercises
1.
Answer the
following questions.
a)
How are computers classified into different
types?
b)
What is analog computer? Where is it used?
c)
Define digital computer. What are the types of
digital computers?
d)
Differentiate between general-purpose computers
and special purpose computers.
e)
Classify a computer on the basis of size.
f)
What is mainframe computer and what are its
typical applications?
g)
What are supercomputers? Write their
application.
h)
What is microcomputer? Write its types.
i)
Define hybrid computer? How is it used in
hospitals.
2.
State
'True' or 'False'.
a)
Analog computer solves problems by discrete
data.
b)
Laptop computers are portable computers.
c)
Hybrid computer has the features of analog and
digital computer.
d)
Minicomputer is more powerful and more expensive
than mainframe computer
e)
Desktop computer is an example of
general-purpose digital computers.
3.
Match the
following.
Group 'A' Group
'B'
a)
i) Analog
computer a) about 200 users ii) Digital
computer b) used in hospital iii) Hybrid computer c) deals with 0 or 1 iv) Minicomputer d)
measures continuously changing data
e)
about 5000 users
Group 'A' Group
'B'
b)
i) Mainframe computer a) PC ii) Super computer
b) PDP-1 iii) Microcomputer c) IBM1401 iv) Minicomputer d) Sunway Taihulight
e)
IBM 2040
4.
Choose the
correct answer.
a.
The most powerful, expensive and largest
processing computer is...
i) Microcomputer
ii) Supercomputer iii)
Mainframe computer iv)
Minicomputer
b.
CT- Scan is an example of ……… computer.
i) Analog
ii) Micro iii) Hybrid iv)
None of above
c.
….. is the mainframe computer brought to Nepal
for the first time to process census data in 2028 BS.
i) IBM
1400 ii) IBM1401 iii) IBM1402 iv)
IBM1403
d.
Nowadays, the most powerful supercomputer is
Sunway taihulight from
……….
i) India
ii) Germany iii) China iv)
America
e.
Minicomputer is more powerful and expensive than
……….. computer.
i) Micro
ii) Super iii) Mainframe iv) None of them
5.
Fill in the
blanks with appropriate.
i)
……… computers are special-purpose computers
which can measure continuously changing data.
ii)
………….. was the first microcomputer designed by
IBM.
iii)
……….. computer is more powerful and expensive
than microcomputer but less powerful and costly than mainframe computer.
iv)
……… computers are used as server on WWW.
v)
…… computers are general-purpose computers which
solve problems by computing discrete data.
vi)
……….. has parallel processing for performing any
task. vii) ……… computer is used in hospital for UltraSound.
6.
Write the
full form of the following.
i)
IBM ii) CPU iii) PC iv) DEC
v)
WWW vi) CDC vii) ECG
7.
Write short
notes on the following.
a.
Mainframe computer
b.
Supercomputer
c.
Desktop computer
d.
Hybrid computer
e.
Analog computer
1.
Draw on a chart paper the types of computer on
the basis of working principle and paste in your classroom.
2.
Collect some examples of analog, digital and
hybrid computers.
3.
Prepare a presentation about the use and purpose
of hybrid and supercomputer in different sectors and present to your class as a
group work.
4.
Divide a class into various groups and conduct a
presentation on the following topics:
a.
Type of computer on the basis of purpose.
b.
Type of computer on the basis of size.
c.
Type of computer on the basis of work.
